Restaurants in Northern Central Highlands
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Eucalipto
Named after the droopy looking eucalyptus gum tree in the courtyard, this pleasant place conjures up a perkier range of pastas and an array of meat dishes (thankfully, not koala) - from rib eye to T-bone - and a selection of wines, from Chile to France. It's one of the priciest in town, but it's excellent quality cuisine.
reviewed
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El Midi
This French-run café-restaurant is hard to go past for its fresh delights. Tartes, salads and a huge array of daily offerings can be enjoyed on the perfectly pretty plaza under brollies. Morning croissants available; the salad bar starts at 12.30pm and á la carte meals are served in the evenings.
reviewed
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Santo Café
Stop by this cozy, slightly funky spot on the quaint Venetian-style bridge and check the latest university vibe. It serves excellent salads and snacks, plus heftier dishes and drinks. Some tables overlook the alley below, and there is music of all styles.
reviewed
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Acrópolis Café
This Greek-owned café with slightly overinflated prices is popular with locals and visitors, more for its location than its meals – light snacks and coffees.
reviewed
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San Patrizio Caffé
Probably does the best – if priciest – cappuccinos in town and has a relaxing courtyard seating, light snacks, and an array of Italian sodas.
reviewed
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Trattoria Il Goloso
Trade the tacos for Italian pasta and other mains – in this cozy (if slightly pricey) Sicilian-themed place, behind San Patrizio Caffé.
reviewed
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Yamuna
A great range of quality veg food, most - such as the generous comida corrida - with a very Indian Hindu influence and flavor.
reviewed
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Café Azul
Open all day, this Swiss-run scene is perfect for breakfasts, snacks and light meals including excellent sweet and savory crepes.
reviewed
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La Casona de los Cinco Patios
It’s hard to go past trying one of the diverse eating and drinking options at La Casona de los Cinco Patios, all of which are under the auspice of a mansion with five patios. Locals rave about San Miguelito for its food, old-fashioned service, ambience and decor: each table has different chairs and is decorated with themed, hand-painted wooden platters. Popular dishes include filete de res en salsa de mezquite (beef fillet with mesquite plant sauce). La Antojeria is at the entrance to Cinco Patios and at the other end of the pricing scale. It’s a family-friendly, fun and Mexican-themed place serving up every style of antojito known in Mexico.
reviewed
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Neblinas Ecotienda & Café
This extraordinary shop, café, gallery and cultural center supports communities in the Sierra Gorda. Everything here has an ecofriendly and sustainable message: the café serves delicious snacks (don’t miss the hamburgers with the handmade endangered animal–shaped rolls or the penca de nopal, cactus plate), the neat restaurant-gallery’s decor resembles a semi-desert environment and the shop sells organic produce. Cultural performances include live jazz and dance.
reviewed
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Los Dorados de Villa
You may have to fight to get into this popular revolutionary-themed restaurant: knock at the door – it’s always locked. It’s full of atmosphere and relics and serves up a delicious array of everything – except Pancho Villa himself. Don’t miss the enchiladas valentinas (M$65). Oh and for posterity, a flying visit to the toilet may knock you off your perch! (The toilet alcove is filled with birds − you have to walk through the aviary to get to your cubicle.)
reviewed
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Vía Orgánica
This healthy option – a café and vegetable shop – is part of the not-for-profit Mexican organization, Vía Orgánica. The organic produce is grown by local farmers. The café’s menu delights the taste buds; think minestrone soups, salads, and some of the best cakes around. Vía Orgánica also runs permaculture/farming workshops. Follow your nose north along Hidalgo. Veer right onto Calzada de la Aurora, first left into Talavera and first left again.
reviewed
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Casa Valadez
This classic place is a smart choice in every respect and attracts a loyal crowd of well-dressed locals. Given its fine location – it faces both the Jardín and Teatro Juaréz – it’s excellent value. Servings are Mexican (read generous); dishes are a blend of international and Mexican. Especially tasty are the pollo con enchiladas mineros (enchiladas with the ‘lot’) and the beef steak, filete Valadez.
reviewed
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La Capilla
This elegant restaurant's atmosphere and location - in a former chapel of the parroquia - is unbeatable. The restaurant's fairy-lighted rooftop terrace affords romantic and spectacular sunset views. The menu, which offers truly international cuisine doesn't always live up to the location's lofty heights; it gets mixed reviews. Downstairs there's a classy café-bar and counter selling quality chocolates.
reviewed
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El Pozole
The place to try the local enchiladas potosinas – the tortilla dough is red (from mild chili). This place was started by a woman selling antojitos (Mexican snacks) in her home in the 1980s. Demand for her goods was so high she has since opened three restaurants specializing in what she knows best – tacos rojos, pozole, quesadillas de papa (potato quesadillas) … Yes, they’re that good.
reviewed
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El Gallo Pitagórico
South of the Jardín, up the path (and then steps) behind Templo San Diego, this romantic restaurant is chock-a-block with folkloric artifacts, friendly atmosphere and fine city views. The Italian cuisine includes assorted antipasti, a range of pastas and great meat dishes. The lengthy wine list can hike the price, but service is good and it’s a reliably pleasant experience.
reviewed
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Ice-Cream
Don't leave without sampling a hand-turned ice-cream from an ice-cream vendor on the plaza or around town. You can test your taste-buds on the flavors: mole, chicharrón (fried pork skin), avocado, corn, cheese, honey, shrimp, beer, tequila and tropical fruits. The market on the corner of Chihuahua and Michoacan serves up some satisfying corn-based snacks.
reviewed
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Mercado de la Cruz
The central plazas and surrounding pedestrian streets, particularly around Plaza de Armas, are lined with restaurants catering to all tastes and budgets. They have outdoor tables and a vibrant evening atmosphere with live music (sometimes clashing with each other). After 17:00, the cheapest and most genuine eating experiences can be found at the Mercado de la Cruz.
reviewed
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Restaurant La Plaza
The elegant dining room at Quinta Real is especially memorable for its outlook to the aqueduct and bullring, as well as for its refined ambience and superb international and Zacatecan cuisine. Charge in for a Sunday brunch (M$200) or an evening cocktail in the bar. Tables are nestled in niches, former bull-holding pens (6pm to 1am). Reservations are advisable.
reviewed
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Café Tal
This slightly grungy coffee spot, owned by a French-horn player, is the wi-fi-enabled study spot for students. It roasts, grinds and serves excellent coffees ( barista is a word used here!). Don’t miss the beso negro (black kiss), ultra-concentrated hot chocolate (M$12). If you’re lucky, Tal the cat might sit on your lap.
reviewed
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Ik-Etznab
Around 8km from Guanajuato, near the hamlet of Santa Rosa, is where you’ll find this cutting-edge eatery. It serves haute cuisine at its best – the most impressive of colors, flavors and artistic presentation mean everything to its Mexican chefs, who were trained in Europe. This classy spot overlooks the green Sierra de Santa Rosa.
reviewed
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La Saturnina
Set in an 18th-century former mansion, this eatery is well known among local diners for its romantic ambience and tasty menu. The name is in honor of the women Saturnino Herrán so beautifully painted; but tales of tragic love and the tormented ghost of the wealthy hacienda-owner’s daughter won’t ruin your appetite.
reviewed
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Biznarga
Their friends liked their cooking so much they opened their kitchen to the public. And why not? A not-to-be-missed, slightly rasta experience with graffiti, artworks and memorabilia. The creativity extends to the dishes – excellent salads, homemade pizzas, juices and more. One of the country’s best-value eateries.
reviewed
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San Miguelito
Locals rave about San Miguelito for its food, old-fashioned service, ambience and decor: each table has different chairs and is decorated with themed, hand-painted wooden platters. Popular dishes include filete de res en salsa de mezquite (beef fillet with mesquite plant sauce).
reviewed
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La Virreina
A long-established gourmet favorite and the city’s oldest surviving restaurant, the charmingly old-fashioned Virreina has a classic menu including both international and Mexican dishes, delicious desserts and an excellent reputation. The 96-year-old owner (as at 2009) still presides over quality checks.
reviewed
